Parking

Who can have a permit

Parking permits are usually issued to full-time residents for vehicles registered at their address.

  • If your main home is elsewhere, you should not apply for a resident permit
  • Owners of second homes in the area may apply for a permit for use when staying there

Your supporting documents must:

  • Show your name and address within the permit zone
  • Show your name and vehicle registration number

Eligible Vehicles

You can use a resident permit for:

  • Private cars
  • Minibuses (up to 12 passengers)
  • Motor caravans (within size limits)
  • Light goods vehicles (up to 3,500 kg)

🚫 Larger long-wheel based vehicles should be parked elsewhere if they take up more than one standard parking space.

Vehicle and Ownership Rules

  • Permits must be in the name of the registered keeper (DVLA record)
  • A vehicle can only have one active permit at a time
  • The permit should match the address shown on the V5C (log book)
  • All vehicles must be taxed and have a valid MOT where required

✅ If you’ve recently moved, a V5C showing your previous address may still be accepted if your name and vehicle details match.

DVLA Requirements

When moving you must keep your details up to date with the DVLA:

  • Update your address and vehicle registration details on the V5C, and
  • Update your driving licence address. You have to do both separately.

⚠️ Not updating your details is a finable offence.

  • Foreign-registered vehicles must be registered with the DVLA after 6 months living in the UK

Important Rules

  • Resident Parking Permits are not transferable to other people or to other zones
  • You must update your permit if changing cars or registration numbers
  • Do not allow non-residents (including neighbours) to use your permits allocation
  • Misuse or resale of any permit may result in them being cancelled
  • Spaces are limited, so park sensibly and in consideration of others needs

Addresses eligible for permits

We strongly recommend prior to buying or starting a tenancy of an address in a residential zone without enough off-road parking for your needs you ensure either you or your legal representatives check to ensure your prospective home is eligible to buy resident parking permits.

If eligible, most houses and flats in a zone will be eligible for two resident permits and two allocations of visitor permits per year. Residents in Salcombe, and Exeter S1 zones permits are limited to one permit per address

Visitor permits are not available to buy for the following resident permit zones: Dartmouth, Kingswear, Kingsbridge, Instow, Salcombe, Sidmouth & Tavistock.

An essential visitor permit may be available to those who rely on family, friends, carers and others to enable them to live independently at home.

Residents’ parking: Permits for essential visitors – Roads and transport

Before You Move or Buy – check your eligibility

If you’re planning to move to a property in a parking zone do not assume that every address in a residents’ parking area is eligible for permits—even if signs nearby say “resident permit holders only.”

  • Not all properties qualify
  • Not every resident at an address is guaranteed a permit
  • Check the address is eligible for permits
  • An eligible address checklist can be found here.
  • Do this before buying or signing a tenancy agreement
  • You (or your legal representative) should confirm eligibility in advance

Permit Eligibility Rules

  • Permits can only be issued to addresses listed as eligible in our Traffic Regulation Order
  • HMO permits are issued on a 1st come, 1st served basis if the address is eligible
  • Student permits have a fixed end date of July 31st
  • Permits are only valid within the specific zone they are issued for.

✅ Example: An Exeter A permit cannot be used in Exeter B spaces

New Builds and Conversions

Some properties may not be eligible for permits:

  • New developments
  • Converted properties (e.g. flats or HMOs)
  • Commercial change of use to residential
  • Properties with planning conditions restricting permits
  • Purpose built Students only accommodation

These restrictions are set during the planning process and are recorded in planning documents.

Any property divided into flats, a house in multiple occupation (HMO), change of use or any ‘new build’ developments completed after the start date of that resident permit scheme, will most likely not be eligible for parking permits.

It is not possible to add in a new address without undertaking a public consultation to change the traffic order which is a lengthy and expensive process and would require support from the local county councillor to even be considered.

Privacy notice
The personal data you provide on applying for a permit issued by the Council will be held by Devon County Council for the purpose(s) of administering your request. We may use the data to alert you of any changes to permit terms and conditions relevant to your zone, or request assistance to any Statutory Undertakers working on or adjacent to the carriageway. The data will be held securely and not kept for longer than necessary. Under the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 you have the right to ask that your details are removed.

More information about how we process your data under GDPR is available in the Parking services privacy notice.